Three dead, one injured in south Ottawa stabbing, SIU invokes mandate

The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) has been called in after a fatal stabbing in the Alta Vista area of Ottawa. 

The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) responded to the 1200 block of Anoka Street around 10:30 p.m. on Monday, June 27.

Two people were found dead of stab wounds when police arrived on scene and a third person was taken to hospital with stab wounds. Police say a fourth person died after an interaction with police at the scene. 

The SIU is investigating that interaction, while the OPS homicide unit focuses its investigation on the stabbings. 

According to the SIU, Ottawa police received the 9-1-1 call at around 10:30 p.m. indicating two people had been stabbed. Screaming could be heard in the background.

When officers arrived on Anoka Street, they saw a man stabbing a woman, the SIU said, and the man was ordered to drop the weapon. 

“When the man did not drop the knife, three officers discharged their firearms,” the SIU said. “The man was fatally struck. The woman was also struck by police gunfire. She was transported to hospital.”

SIU investigating police-involved shooting in Ottawa; man fatally shot and woman sustained gunshot wound. Monica Hudon, spokesperson: pic.twitter.com/A7PjkxJRfz

— Special Investigations Unit (@SIUOntario) June 28, 2022

CityNews Ottawa spoke with area residents Sabrina and John about what happened and Sabrina said she was home alone when she heard a commotion. 

“I was watching TV and heard screaming and it was fairly loud even though all my windows and doors were closed,” Sabrina said. “I just kind of listened for it and got a little bit scared after that. It sounded like firecrackers, or maybe gunshots. We had the conversation about whether or not our neighbourhood is safe. I think as more details are coming out we're realizing that this was like an isolated incident. Makes me fee safer for sure.”

As for the area, Sabrina and John say it's the kind of neighbourhood where people get to know each other and they've always felt safe walking their dog — and they believe what happened is likely isolated. 

“Our understanding is there was some kind of gathering at one of these houses and something went wrong,” John said. “Someone started stabbing and police had to come in a neutralize the threat. So, that's what the shots were, as we understand.”

CityNews also spoke with neighbourhood resident Veronica Sanchez, who says it's generally a quiet area where many neighbours know each other. 

“It's very quiet here. We do know our neighbours, or at least some of them, like across the street or kids that go to school together,” Veronica said. “I do let my 10-year-old walk around and go to her friend's house all the time on her own, you know, a fairly safe neighbourhood, until last night at least it felt that way.”

However, Veronica said that calm was disrupted by the sound of late night police sirens. 

“We saw the cruisers go by in front of house,” she said. “They just, you know, kept on coming and seemed to go on for a long time.”

Veronica hopes this is an isolated incident, and that after the shock wears off, residents can go back to feeling safe and secure in their homes. 

The SIU asking for anyone who may have information to contact 1-800-787-8529 or at www.siu.on.ca.